Hiking Devils Kitchen to Glyders and Tryfan – Snowdonia Wales

Having done the typical UK climbs, like Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis, I wanted to start exploring the many other mountains that the UK has to offer.

The first set of mountains I wanted to explore was the Glyders and Tryfan in Wales.

The starting point for this hike is Ogwen Warden Centre, Nant Ffrancon, Bethesda (Postcode LL57 3LZ), the car park is pay and display.  There’s toilets and a small cafe available too.

• So starting the walk you take the route to the left of the centre and follow the path up towards the iron gate.

• Follow the path until you get to a fork in the path, take the right path.

• Continue along this path, you will reach a small lake (Llyn Idwal) take the path to the right and walk alongside the lake for a while.

• Soon enough you’ll start on an incline, this is the section that passes next to Devils Kitchen and can require some scrambling in places.

• You will then have to pass over a wall via a ladder, head straight up until you reach a fork in the path, take the path to the left.

• You will see another small lake (Llyn y Cwn), take a left.

• Now you have to scramble up some scree, this will take you to Glyder Fawr.

• The path now flattens out somewhat and you can enjoy a pleasant stroll towards the Castle of the Winds and further onto Glyder Fach.  On a clear day you will see the Snowdon range (I’ve not been so lucky as yet!).

• Just past Glyder Fach is the infamous Cantilever Stone, always a good photo opportunity here and if weather is good, you could try some different poses!

• Next you head down what’s known as Bristly Ridge, this is a steep and very loose scree section, if you have poles, they would come in handy here.

• Soon you will come to a wall where you can either head back down towards Ogwen or continue further up to meet Tryfan.

• Pass over the 2nd ladder and then make your way up Tryfan, there is no set path here, you just pick the easiest way you can, Tryfan is a scrambling mountain but lots of fun!

• As you near the top, be careful of the steep drops that appear on your right side.

• Dependent on which way you end up, you may have to negotiate a small ledge near the summit, this is best done on hands and knees…(if you’re a little unsteady)

• A little more scrambling and you’re at the top…for the really brave you can jump from Adam to Eve (the two big rocks on the summit).

• Head back down the way you came (if you’re heading back to Ogwen) and soon you will pick up the path from Glyder Fach.

• Follow this well-marked path, passing another lake (Llyn Bochlwyd).

• You will have to cross the stream at some point and picking the best point is for you to decide!

• Pick up the path on the other-side of the  stream – it’s quite steep going down in places

• When you get to the bottom and reach the flat section the walk can tend to be a bit boggy, but there is plans for a path to be laid which will improve this (if not done already).

• Follow the path until you reach the iron gate you came through at the start and you’re back at the Warden Centre, hopefully in time for a hot cuppa and sausage roll, if not then you have access to the toilets 🙂

This route took around 8 1/2 hours and that was at a moderate pace.